Partition of India

The Partition of India was the division of British India in 1947 that led to the creation of the Muslim state of Pakistan (which included present-day Bangladesh as well) and the secular state of India. The partition of India occurred in the aftermath of the United Kingdom's decision to grant India its independence. Referendums were held across India to determine what countries the people sought to join, and the overwhelmingly Muslim populations of Baluchistan, Punjab, and Bengal voted to join Pakistan, while the rest of the subcontinent joined India. The partition was drawn mostly along geographical and religious lines, although many Muslim areas of northern India voted to remain a part of India. The Kashmir region's overwhelmingly Muslim population was angered by the Hindu ruler Hari Singh's decision to join India instead, leading to conflict in the Kashmir region between the Indian Army, Pakistan Army forces, and Pakistan-backed Islamist militants. The partition of India has led to tensions between India and Pakistan ever since the demarcation of the new borders, leading to three open wars, some minor wars, and many incidents of proxy warfare and terrorist attacks. In 1971, Bangladesh would become an independent country after the Awami League succeeded in liberating the region from Pakistani control.